Thursday, April 06, 2006

Windsurf Association of Thailand is preparing its Athletes for the 15th Asian Games

March 11, Mr Khanchit Narasaetaphorn, Windsurf Association Vice President called a meeting of the directors of the Windsurf Association of Thailand to explain improvements and development of the Association to prepare athletes (windsurfers) for the 15th Asian Games to be held in Qatar between 1-15 December this year.

One of Pattaya’s young windsurfers will be one of those hoping to benefit from the 4-year sports development plan launched by the Windsurf Association of Thailand and Pattaya City Council Mr Pattana Bunsawat, Association general secretary revealed that at the recent SEA Games in the Philippines the Association achieved satisfactory results, winning 1 gold and 1 bronze medal. The Association is cooperating with Pattaya City Council in carrying out a 4-year sports development plan between 2005 - 2009, providing training to Pattaya schoolchildren and the results have so far proved to be very satisfactory, as the children have rapidly improved their skills. Mr Pattana added that the Association was also experiencing development problems as equipment for this sport is relatively expensive, and they have already requested funding of over 1 million baht from Pattaya City Council to buy new equipment. Mr Khanchit said that the Association has also been given cooperation by Thai Airports (Public) Company Limited under a government enterprise project and they have agreed to provide 4 million baht per year to the Association over a 3-year period from 1 January 2006 - 31 December 2008. This year the funding will provide development aid to the Association in hiring trainers, organizing domestic competitions and sending athletes for training abroad inpreparation for the 15th Asian Games to beheld later in the year.